Valuable recommendations on how to wash faux fur in a machine and by hand

Almost every person has faux fur items in their wardrobe. However, not everyone knows how to properly care for them.

Can they be washed in a machine or in a basin? What detergent should I use to remove stains? Will synthetic bristles deteriorate after contact with water?

How to properly wash faux fur at home? Answers to these and other questions can be obtained if you read the article to the end.

Is it possible?

If the faux fur gets dirty, you can wash it. Most products tolerate such treatment well and do not lose their attractiveness.

Conditions to be observed:

1. 
   Study the information indicated on the label. The manufacturer's recommendations should not be violated.

2. If the fur comes off, it is better to remove it and wash it separately from the main product.
3. Before you start washing, the item must be cleaned of dust and other contaminants. To do this, use a low-power vacuum cleaner or a soft-bristled brush.
4. Washing fur items together with other items is unacceptable.
5. If there are minor stains on the fur, do not wash it completely. Limited to local treatment of stains.
6. Preference is given to hand washing.

It is not recommended to machine wash long faux fur, but the shorter it is, the lower the risk of damage. You should not experiment with fur trim of questionable quality.

If the product has become dusty after winter, then simply knock it out. A bamboo rod is used for this. First, they process the item from the wrong side, and then from the front side.

Then the pile is combed. This will give it freshness after a long stay in the closet.

Folk remedies for cleaning

You can wash fur clothing by hand or by machine, but large stains may require other treatment methods. This can be explained by the lack of guarantees for the complete removal of old stains in a gentle wash mode. Instead, you can try other methods:

• You can remove grease stains from the collar or cuff of a faux fur jacket by mixing 1 teaspoon of gasoline or alcohol with potato starch. The mixture should be cooked until it becomes a porridge, apply it to the stain and leave for 5-10 minutes. The product must be removed using a dry brush or sponge.
• You can use a product from the supermarket to remove dirt from the fur on the hood if it matches the description on the tag. To do this, you need to unfasten the edge and carry out preliminary dry cleaning with a brush or vacuum cleaner. If this measure is ineffective, you need to apply a cleaning agent in the form of a foam or aerosol.
• Synthetic fur linings can be treated with dry brushes and surface stain removers. But to remove the stain, you can use a swab soaked in acetone or a mixture of starch and gasoline.
• To treat white fur, you can use a 1:1 solution of natural lemon juice. If the fur has become yellow, it can only be restored by dyeing.

Before washing or cleaning fur, you should make sure that the textile base of the product will withstand the effects of one of the methods.

After cleaning, drying or combing the fur product, steam treatment is allowed. You will need to turn on the iron or steamer and lightly process the product, maintaining a distance of 30-40 centimeters.

Washing in an automatic washing machine

Before you start machine washing, the product must be turned inside out . When the fibers are inside, they will not roll or tangle.

If this is not possible, then use a special mesh in which the item is placed before loading it into the drum.

Products with stubborn stains require pre-soaking. The time it is kept in the soap solution should not exceed 15 minutes.

Procedure:

1. 
   Clean the fur from dust and place it in the drum of the washing machine.

2. Turn on delicate wash mode. You can wash fur on the “wool” and “silk” programs.
3. Synthetic pile does not tolerate contact with hot water. Its temperature should not exceed 30 degrees.
4. Disable spin. The basis of faux fur is knitwear, which does not tolerate twisting.
5. Wait for the cycle to complete.

It is better to use gels or liquid concentrates as a detergent. They rinse well and effectively remove dirt even in cool water.

Having taken the product out of the machine, you need to remove the water from it with your hands . Not twisting, but gently running your palms over the fur.

While the water continues to drain, it is left suspended over the bathtub or over the basin. After it stops dripping, the item is removed to a dry, well-ventilated room to dry.

Fur should not be washed with powders containing bleaches or enzymes. They also refuse aggressive household products. Using products that contain chlorine, alkalis or acids will damage the product.

This video will show you how to wash faux fur in a washing machine:

Why does lint appear in the washing machine after washing?

1. The wrong temperature setting was selected. Wash with cold water or at a minimum temperature of 40
2. The pre-soak time has been exceeded. Over 15-20 minutes.
3. Wrong washing mode selected. After soaking, you need to turn it on for rinsing, or set the minimum washing time.
4. The thing was rubbing against the drum. You should use a bag for washing delicate laundry.
5. Failure to maintain spin speed. No higher than 400 rpm. min.
6. Wrong detergents have been selected. The “drying” mode was selected. Not recommended in an automatic car.

How to process manually?

Items with long synthetic pile are recommended to be washed by hand.

The procedure is as follows:

1. Clean the fur from dust.

2. 
   Fill a basin with cool water and dilute the detergent in it until completely dissolved.

3. Soak the fur for 30 minutes. If there is contamination, rub it gently with a brush. The movements should be directed from the lining along the direction of the pile, as if combing it.
4. Change the water and rinse the product.
5. Fill the basin with water again and add fabric softener.
   It would be good if it contained an antistatic agent. These can be products such as: Lenore for children, Synergetic, Ligva Soft, etc. Their average cost is 150-200 rubles per 1 liter.
6. Rinse the fur in the prepared solution. This procedure will give it softness and shine, and will get rid of static electricity.

After washing, the product is not wrung out or twisted. The water should drain from it on its own.

If light fur has acquired a yellow or grayish tint, it is recommended to treat it with hydrogen peroxide. Perform the procedure as follows:

• dissolve 1 tbsp in 1 liter of water. l. peroxides;
• pour the solution into a spray bottle;
• lay the fur on a flat surface and spray it completely;
• After 10 minutes, the product is washed in the usual way.

Peroxide can be replaced with lemon juice. It is diluted with water in equal proportions, after which the fur is treated according to the indicated scheme.

Details

Easy cleaning

If a dusty deposit forms on the product, you can get rid of it by knocking it out. This method is suitable for fur coats, hats, collars and shoes. This is done as follows:

1. The item with fur must be placed on a pre-moistened cotton cloth so that the pile is on the bottom.
2. By lightly patting with a beater, dust should be removed.
3. The product must be smoothed and dried.

If the method described above does not help, then you need to clean the item with a soap solution. To do this you need to do the following:

1. The item of clothing must be hung vertically on a hanger.
2. You need to pour shampoo into a large container, dissolved in warm water (proportion 3 tablespoons per liter). The shampoo must be stirred until foam appears.
3. Using a brush, apply this foam to the fur, being careful not to get it on the fabric base.
4. If the length of the pile is less than 2 cm, it must be cleaned from the end to the base of the hair. If the length of the pile is more than 2 cm, then this is done in the opposite direction.
5. Remaining foam should be removed using cotton cloth or wet wipes.
6. The fur should be blotted with a towel that absorbs water well, and then dried outside or in a ventilated room.
7. After the product has completely dried, it should be combed with a wide-toothed comb, preferably a metal one. This is done so that the pile does not stick together, does not fluff and looks beautiful.

REFERENCE! Faux or natural fur should not be dried in the sun, near fire or heating devices. This is due to the fact that clothes may change color or become deformed as they dry faster.

To make faux fur shiny after cleaning, you need to prepare a mixture of 0.5 liters of water, 0.5 liters of alcohol and 1 tsp. glycerin. The resulting products must be carefully applied using a cotton swab or a spray bottle, and then the pile is dried and combed again.

Deep cleaning

The methods described above are only suitable if the contamination is light. To clean more serious stains on synthetic fur, more serious means are needed. If the dirt is heavily absorbed, it can be removed using improvised means that are found in every home.

How to wash synthetic fur with washing powder

1. In 1 liter of water you need to dissolve 4 tablespoons of washing powder and whip up the foam.
2. Moisten a cloth in the prepared solution and rub the stain with it, moving from the edge to the center.
3. Remaining foam from the surface should be removed with a clean, damp sponge.
4. Clothes should be dried at a temperature of 20-25°C, after which the remaining dirt should be removed with a cloth and the fur straightened.

REFERENCE! Instead of washing powder, you can use any product that can gently clean the pile and get rid of dirt, for example, shampoo, liquid soap, washing gel and others.

Professional products

There are a large number of fur cleaning products available on the market. In addition, you can also use cleaning products for upholstered furniture or carpets.

Ethanol

Ethyl alcohol can be used to clean most types of stains.

To do this, mix a glass of water, 1 teaspoon of alcohol and 1 tablespoon of soda. You need to moisten a sponge or rag in the resulting liquid and clean the fur with it, moving from its base. After this, the remaining solution must be removed with a dry cloth.

How to clean faux fur with starch

This method differs in that the product does not need to be wet. This is especially convenient if you need to clean your fur coat.

You will need potato starch, which should be poured onto the dirt, then rubbed with a stiff brush, then shake off the product or remove it with a vacuum cleaner.

There is another cleaning method using starch, but here you will also need washing powder and dishwashing detergent. All 3 substances must be mixed in equal proportions and treated with the prepared mixture on the stain, then washed off with a rag.

Absorbents

To get rid of greasy stains that have recently appeared, you can use any products that absorb well, for example, baby powder, flour, and so on. This method will work if the stain is fresh and has not yet had time to be absorbed.

Dry cleaning

There are cases when available means cannot cope with contamination. If this is your case, then you need to use dry cleaning services. Our specialists will help you thoroughly clean the product and return it to its original condition. But not all clothes can be dry cleaned, so you need to study the information on acceptable procedures on the product label.

How to clean white faux fur

It is quite difficult to clean white fur as it can change quite a lot. In addition, it needs to be looked after more carefully because it gets dirty faster.

REFERENCE! To clean white fur, you should use products that will preserve whiteness and effectively remove dirt.

Hydrogen peroxide

This tool copes well with the task. To do this, mix 1 liter of water and 2 tbsp. l. peroxide. The resulting solution must be used to treat the yellowed fur, and then the product must be dried outside or in a ventilated room.

Blue

This product can help save fur from yellowing. To do this, you need to dissolve the blue in water until you obtain a light blue liquid; for this you need approximately 3 - 5 drops of the substance per 1 liter of water. Fill a spray bottle with the resulting solution and spray the item with it, then dry it.

Hydrogen peroxide and ammonia

You need to mix these two products, as well as water in equal proportions, and mix the solution thoroughly. After this, you need to fill a spray bottle with the solution and spray the artificial pile with it.

Can faux fur be washed?

If the fur is very dirty or the fabric itself is dirty, then simple cleaning will not help. In this case, the item will have to be washed by hand, which is possible when the pile is placed on a mixed or synthetic base. To find out, you need to carefully study the instructions on the product label.

1. Mix warm water with grated laundry soap or shampoo. Mixing must be continued until soap foam appears.

REFERENCE! To enhance the effect, you can use special chemicals intended for fur products instead of soap or shampoo.

1. You need to put the product in the prepared solution and gently squeeze it in your hands, but do not rub it, otherwise the pile will deteriorate.
2. Now the item needs to be rinsed in cool water, which should be replaced with clean water as often as possible.
3. For the last time, add a little antistatic agent to clean water and rinse the product again.
4. The washed item should be wrapped in a terry towel and the fur should be carefully blotted with it. However, it should not be rubbed under any circumstances.
5. The product needs to be hung over a basin or bathtub so that it is completely straightened, you can do this on a hanger. After the bulk of the moisture has drained, the clothes should be taken out into fresh air.
6. After the product has completely dried, it needs to be combed.

Washing in a washing machine

If there is no sign on the label prohibiting washing in a washing machine, then you can do this:

1. Load the fur coat into the drum of the washing machine, selecting the soaking mode.
2. Then you need to select a delicate wash mode or any similar one. The washing time should be kept to a minimum, preferably no more than half an hour.
3. The wash must be completed on a gentle spin cycle. If this function is missing, then it is better to turn off the spin cycle completely and blot the product with a towel.

Dry cleaning at home

If you can’t get the product wet, you can clean it dry. Proven home remedies come to the rescue:

• starch;
• talc;
• semolina;
• soda.

They are used according to the same scheme:

1. 
   Spread a clean cloth on the floor or table and place the fur item on it.

2. Apply the selected product to the contaminated area.
3. Gently distribute it between the pile and knead the fur with your hands.
4. Shake the item to remove any remaining powder. You can use a brush, comb or vacuum cleaner with low power.

To get maximum results, the procedure must be repeated several times until the starch or talc becomes completely clean.

To increase cleaning efficiency, cereals or starch can be heated in a dry frying pan or in the microwave .

To clean dark fur, use rye bran or sawdust. Powdered activated carbon removes foreign odors well.

Foam cleaning

Apply the foam from the soap solution, obtained by mixing warm water with liquid soap or shampoo (a teaspoon per 3 liters of water), onto the faux fur with a sponge in the direction of the lint. Before cleaning with such a solution, the item is laid out so that all its fur parts are accessible. It is necessary to avoid getting foam on the base of the product when applying it. Then remove any remaining residue with a damp cloth.

Dry the item at a temperature of 18° to 25°C away from direct sunlight, heaters and radiators. Before drying, make sure that the faux fur is not crumpled. Once crumpled hairs have dried, it is quite difficult to return them to their previous state. When the faux fur is completely dry, comb it with a regular comb with large teeth.

Drying rules

After washing, the fur product must be properly dried so that it does not lose its characteristics:

1. Shake the product to remove any remaining water.
2. Do not twist or squeeze the item. You can wrap it in a terry towel so that the water is absorbed faster.
3. Do not place the product on a radiator or hang it in the sun. Because of this, the fur is deformed.
4. During drying, the pile should lie flat, without creases, with the fluffy side up. You can hang the item on hangers without using clothespins.
5. You cannot dry your fur with a hairdryer.

Optimal conditions are drying in the fresh air, but in the shade, or in a warm room with good ventilation and low humidity.

An important nuance: faux fur, unlike natural fur, does not have a specified direction of the pile. Therefore, immediately after washing, smooth it with your palms in the right direction.

Thanks to this simple manipulation, the villi will not bristle when they dry.

How not to wash

Faux fur requires special care rules. Only in this case will the pile remain shiny and fluffy for a long time. It is especially important to wash fur items correctly, following the instructions, and remember which operations fur absolutely cannot tolerate.

• Faux fur cannot be heated, as at high temperatures the synthetic fiber can become deformed.
• Do not dry fur items in a machine or dryer. After drying with hot air, the item will probably be irretrievably lost.
• Do not treat synthetic fur with bleaches, stain removers or other chemicals that have an aggressive effect on the fiber.

You need to handle white fur with particular care and attention. Due to the wrong choice of detergents, a white fur coat can become yellowish in color, and the long pile can get tangled and break.

By following these simple rules, you can perfectly wash faux fur yourself at home, without resorting to dry cleaning services.

Useful tips

Information that a person who decides to wash a faux fur product should have:

1. 
   If it is possible to refuse washing, then it should be used. Excessive contact of the product with water will deteriorate its appearance.

2. To make the pile smooth, use fabric conditioner.
3. When the fur is dry, it needs to be combed. The comb is used with a wide distance between the teeth. You can also use a massage brush. There is no need to push the comb too far into the pile so as not to catch the fabric base.
4. If you need to wash a hood or collar with fur, it is better to unfasten it from the main product.
5. White fluff is handled with care. Stain removers are not used to eliminate yellowness and grayness.
6. The matted pile is sprayed with warm water, allowed to dry, and then combed. You can carefully walk the steamer over the product without pressing the device too tightly against the fabric.

Before using any chemicals that have not previously been used on fur, a test is carried out.

The product is applied to an inconspicuous area and the reaction of the fiber is monitored. If no pathological changes occur, treatment can be continued.

The advantages of textile fur

Imitated furs are made from soft, flexible fibers and threads that form the basis for felt and knitwear. However, faux fur is sometimes difficult to distinguish from natural fur.

Things made from such material have a number of advantages:

• Optimal cost.
• Ease of handling during sewing.
• No damage due to insect attacks.
• Light weight.

Clothes are sewn by attaching natural or artificial fibers to the base. At the same time, to imitate fur or fur, manufacturers can add sheep wool.

The material can be produced using pile weave of threads on a loom or knitting on a knitting machine.

On the market you can find products made from eco-fur produced on a tufting machine. In addition, faux fur items are made by attaching the pile to the fabric using rubber-like glue.

The pile may be based on materials such as nitron, viscose, wool fiber, nylon or nitron.

Features of washing artificial pile

When your favorite fur coat or rug with long pile loses its former luster and is in dire need of cleaning, the first thing you need to decide is how you will do it - in the washing machine or by hand. The course of action will directly depend on this.

Machine washable: 3 nuances

Do you know if you can wash your faux fur coat in the washing machine? Carefully examine the product tag - you will find the information you need there. If the fur coat is voluminous and has long pile, then you will have to abandon the washing machine.

But for cleaning a hood, blanket or removable collar, a washing machine is just right:

Hand wash: 3 aids

Most often, fur is processed manually at home. It's easy to do, just:

• Fill a deep container with water.
• Dilute liquid powder for delicate fabrics in warm water (not higher than 40 °C).
• Soak the product for 20 minutes.
• Wash the material, alternately running your hand against the pile and in the opposite direction.

This instruction is suitable if you just need to tidy up and refresh the appearance of the fur. If there is a need to remove serious stains, you cannot do without additional products:

Dry cleaning

The dry cleaning method for pile products involves dry or semi-dry treatment of fur with various substances. These can be ready-made stain removers that are sold in stores. Usually it is written on them what types of fabrics the product is suitable for; a separate type is sold for fur. And also check whether the composition matches the color of the item (it could, for example, be bleaching, you need to keep an eye on this).

An analogue of the purchased product can be prepared at home. For minor stains, dry cleaning is suitable, during which you can slightly refresh the color of the fur and remove the unpleasant odor. For this purpose, bulk products are used, such as:

• starch;
• sand - please note that it must be cleaned, construction sand will not work;
• semolina;
• crushed chalk;
• salt.

Starch and semolina are used for any type of contamination. Salt helps remove grease stains - its crystals absorb fat. Powdered chalk, in addition to cleaning, allows you to slightly bleach the fur, so it is more rational to use it for light-colored products. Sand, on the contrary, is better used for colored fur, because it may not be clean enough and make white fur yellowish.

If you are unsure that the composition of the home remedy will suit the fur structure of your product, then it is better not to risk it. It would be best to give the item to specialists so that they can clean it. Special establishments have equipment and proven substances that will help the product regain the appearance it had after purchase.

Housewives, after washing their fur coats at home, leave reviews on how they did it. This is real, but deep cleaning, the same as that carried out in specialized institutions, is difficult to do.

Traditional care

Not every manufacturer allows the possibility of washing products with synthetic fur in an automatic washing machine. The preferred method of cleaning artificial fur coats, hats, and sheepskin coats remains hand washing. It allows you not to wet the item completely, but to treat a separate area. This possibility is especially relevant for clothes with light, long pile.

First of all, you need to inspect the fur for heavy contamination. If the affected area is small, local treatment will be sufficient. If you want to “refresh” something that has not been cleaned for a long time, pre-soaking is advisable.

For local cleaning, use a soft sponge. The stain on the product is moistened with cool water, after which a liquid product is applied to the area and foamed. You should wait 3-5 minutes and remove the soap “cap” with a damp sponge. You can rinse the treated area in the shower. When a complete wash is required, proceed as follows:

• fill the bathtub or basin with cold water;
• add detergent, whip up foam, wait until the gel completely dissolves in water;
• immerse the product in a soap solution;
• if you wash a fur coat, synthetic fur blanket or sheepskin coat, leave it to “sit” in the bath for 20 minutes;
• Wash areas where there is dirt: collar area, cuffs, sleeves. Movements should be light and the fur should not be rubbed too hard. The task is to fluff up the lint and rinse the fur with soapy water;
• take the item out and let the water drain;
• fill a container with lukewarm water and rinse the product;
• pour out the water, and then rinse the clothes in cold water several times.

To quickly remove excess water from items, prepare two terry towels. The product is placed between them and pressed lightly with your hands. You can simply leave this “sandwich” for half an hour so that the towels absorb the moisture.